CVE-2019-19216 in Control-M
Summary
by MITRE
BMC Control-M/Agent 7.0.00.000 has an Insecure File Copy.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19216 affects BMC Control-M/Agent version 7.0.00.000 and represents a significant security weakness in the software's file handling mechanisms. This issue stems from inadequate file copy operations that fail to properly validate or secure file transfers, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to compromise the system. The vulnerability resides within the agent component of the Control-M platform, which is widely used for job scheduling and automation in enterprise environments. The insecure file copy functionality allows unauthorized users to potentially manipulate or access sensitive files through improper file handling procedures that do not adequately enforce security controls.
The technical flaw manifests when the Control-M/Agent performs file copy operations without sufficient validation of source and destination paths, file permissions, or authentication requirements. This weakness enables attackers to exploit the system by creating or modifying files in locations where they should not have access, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the agent's ability to securely manage file transfers, which are fundamental operations within job scheduling environments where multiple systems interact and share resources. The insecure implementation fails to properly sanitize file paths and does not validate the integrity of files being copied, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious content or redirect file operations to unintended locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access issues, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive job scheduling data, configuration files, and potentially execute arbitrary code within the agent environment. Enterprise systems relying on Control-M/Agent for critical automation processes face heightened risk of data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations with complex job scheduling workflows where multiple agents communicate and coordinate file operations across distributed systems. Attackers could leverage this weakness to modify scheduled jobs, access confidential data, or establish persistent access points within the automation infrastructure, making it a critical concern for security teams managing enterprise job scheduling environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates released for this vulnerability, reviewing file permissions and access controls within the Control-M/Agent environment, and conducting thorough security assessments of all agent configurations. Network segmentation and monitoring of file operations should be enhanced to detect anomalous file copy activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional access controls and validation mechanisms for file transfer operations, ensuring that all file copy operations are properly authenticated and authorized. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 which addresses path traversal and insecure file operations, and potentially maps to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar insecure file handling practices within the broader enterprise infrastructure, particularly in systems that perform automated file operations and job scheduling functions.